Wednesday, 6 June 2012

New (old) Dressmaking Book

I just received this fabulous book in the mail today via eBay! It is a 1971 reprint of a book originally printed in 1951.

The book is a fantastic resource of patternmaking, it commences with showing you how to create your own block:

It then goes on to show you how to modify the blocks to achieve different looks by moving darts, slashing and spreading, adding yokes, and pleats etc

I love the cape sleeves and the false collar shown above. I feel I will be trying some of these patterns soon.

The book also goes into sleeve details, collars, coats, jackets and playsuits. According to the writer of the book, I can become sufficiently skilled "merely by diligent perusal of this book". Sounds good to me! I already have a basic understanding of pattern-making having studied it years ago whilst still at school, but this book has already shown me so many ways to achieve the vintage details that I really like and I look forward to trying some of these techniques soon.